Mandakini River Shatters 23-Year Flood Record in Chitrakoot: Severe Waterlogging and Road Closures Disrupt Normal Life
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Incessant heavy downpours across catchment areas in Madhya Pradesh have triggered severe flooding in Chitrakoot, with the sacred Mandakini River breaching a staggering 23-year-old high-water record. Surpassing the historic flood levels recorded in 2003, the river's surging currents have inundated major pilgrimage zones, disrupted key transportation corridors, and left hundreds of visitors and devotees stranded across hotels, guest houses, and local ashrams.
Water Level Crosses 2003 Historic Mark
By early afternoon, water levels at the prominent Ramghat along the Mandakini River breached critical thresholds, touching 134,650 meters above sea level—marking a massive 15 cm increase over the previous high of 134,500 meters set during the devastating 2003 floods, while standing significantly above the standard danger mark of 126,500 meters. The rapid influx of water has caused extensive waterlogging around landmark institutions including the Deen Dayal Research Institute campus, Siyaram Kutir, and Tulsi Peeth, alongside numerous monasteries, temples, and residential shops lining the riverbanks.
Major Roads Closed and Traffic Halted Across Bridges
The ferocious flow of water has severely impacted regional connectivity. The critical Chitrakoot-Satna road has been officially closed to vehicular movement, while the Hanumandhara bridge on the Nayagaon route is currently overflowing with parts of its protective railing broken due to the sheer force of the current. Similarly, the Karvi bridge along the Jhansi-Mirzapur National Highway is experiencing heavy overflow, prompting local authorities to ban heavy vehicle traffic entirely. Police forces have been deployed at key checkpoints, regulating single-file movement for pedestrians and light vehicles while keeping public transport buses restricted. Administration officials remain on high alert as ongoing weather patterns threaten to push water levels even higher, prompting rescue and evacuation efforts for stranded pilgrims across the holy town.
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